Discovery (Much)

[Much]

Much started to run, expecting Robin to follow. On the way to the toilets, he didn't say a word to Robin, but rather just stared blankly ahead of him, not wanting to discuss the situation. Robin had always been a bit of a flirt, and Much had always been standing awkwardly in the background, trying to look anywhere but at Robin. That's what came of being Robin's former manservant, and friend.

Once they had reached the toilet's Much skidded to a halt, the cloak he always wore for raids flapping behind him. He looked into the room, and couldn't help but show his disgust. He grimaced at Robin and then turned back to face the...dirt ridden room. He held his nose and made an exasperated groan. "Please say you have a better idea." Much wheezed.

[Robin Hood]

Robin looked sideways at Much as they hurried down the corridor. It wasn't like his best friend to be so quiet and Robin wondered what was going through his mind. He balked at the door of the latrines, flapping his hand in front of his nose to dispell the disagreeable odour. Robin coughed at the fetid stench and looked at Much. "I think I might be able to come up with something. Follow me." Turning, Robin led the way back down the corridor.

Reaching the spot where they'd left Isabella, Robin wasn't surprised to see that she hadn't decided to hang about. "Lets try this way." He added, pointing in the direction they were running. Not stopping, he and Much (scuse pose) headed towards the lower levels, dodging into the shadows as guards thundered past them. Robin paused by one of the windows leading to the courtyard. Below them, a haycart had been left. It was perfect. Robin turned to his friend. "Well, I guess we'll have to jump for it." Slinging his bow over his shoulder, Robin scrambled up onto the stone ledge and out onto the window sill. Taking a deep breath, the outlaw jumped from the window and landed on his butt in the hay. Rolling to the edge of the cart, he set his feet back on firm ground. "Come on, Much, its perfectly safe!" he shouted up.

[Much]

Much followed Robin greatfully. Thank goodness they didn't need to use Much's idea of an escape route. He released his hand from his nose, but he could still smell the putrid stench. Much frantically sucked in as much clean air into his nose as possible, whilst following Robin to wherever he was taking him.

As Robin's idea dawned on him, Much opened his mouth to object, but it was too late and Robin had already jumped out the window. Much tutted in annoyance and then poked his head out the window and looked down. His eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. "Oh dear god." he whispered, as he tried to estimate how far away the cart was. Much soon gave up and came to a quick conclusion. A Long way Down. He shook himself over, and stretched his arms in preparation. "Okay." he said to himself encouragingly. He closed his eyes, and jumped.

He landed with a thump onto the soft hay, and rolled out the cart onto the dusty floor. He lay in a crumpled mess at Robins feet, and hastily scrambled up, one eye closed. He adjusted his balaclava and nodded, opening his closed eye, and then rubbing them both.

[Robin Hood]

Robin chuckled as he helped Much up to his feet and dusted him off, getting rid of any stray pieces of hay and chucking it back onto the cart. "Ear! What're you two doin'?" A voice shouted. Robin looked around for the source of the voice and spotted a rather disgruntled looking carter. Taking hold of Much's cape, Robin tugged it. "I think now might be a good time to beat a hasty retreat." he said, pulling his hood up over his head and hurrying to disappear amongst the throng of townsfolk.

"Come on, Much, keep up!"

[Much]

Much jumped as the man shouted, and almost stumbled over when Robin tugged at his cloak. He was still disorientated. His fall had not been a graceful one. But he shook his head and ran after Robin, pulling up his own hood. He dodged the various pedestrians that were walking the streets, and tried his best to keep up. Robin had always been a fast runner, and Much wasn't exactly slow himself, but it was always hard to keep up. He started panting, and he frantically pumped his arms, giving himself a boost of speed.

His arm crashed into a pedestrian, and the loaf of bread he was holding flew into the air and nestled on top of one of the market stalls. Much stopped running and looked up in dismay. "Damn." he whimpered, watching Robin run into the distance. "Ro-" he started to shout, but stopped quickly as he realised one of the Sheriff's Guards might be listening. He took a step towards the market stall, frowned, and then moaned and turned his back on the loaf, and ran after Robin. At least he still had a bag full of carrots. Robin wouldn't be best pleased though.

[Isabella]

Meanwhile, Isabella was rushing back to her chamber. The alarm was sounding and if she was caught at this hour with outlaws on the loose, she would certainly look suspicious. As she headed blindly down the corridor, paying no heed to the danger of the uneven floor, she caught her shoe on a jutting-out stone. The sudden jerk caused he to crash onto the floor, face first. She cried out, feeling her right ankle give way beneath her with a sickening crack. Her ankle was throbbing, and her face stung. There was something wet and hot pouring onto her dress. Feeling faint, she struggled to pull herself up. Her chamber was not far away now. If she could just reach it, she would be safe. Her vision blurred, she heaved herself upright and leant against the rough stone wall for support. She could not put any weight on her ankle, and she dared not look at the damage done to it. Isabella forced herself not to cry out again and struggled towards her chamber, hoping against hope that no-one had heard her.
The alarm should have been enough to cover it, she hoped.